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Poll verdict on politician
HIGH Peak Liberal Democrats suffered defeat at the ballot box for not expelling Councillor Stephen Sharp, it has been claimed after the latest political test before the run-up to the general election.
Cllr Sharp stood down in September as the Lib Dems' Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the High Peak after he was charged with fraud.
Since then, he has admitted eight offences and was sentenced to community service – but continues to serve as a councillor with New Mills Town Council and High Peak Borough Council (HPBC).
In the Tintwistle Borough by-election on October 22, Lib Dem candidate Maureen Hargreaves came third - with 40 out of 490 votes.
Blackbrook Conservative Cllr Chris Pearson said: "This result shows that residents disapprove of High Peak Lib Dems who have made excuses for, rather than expelling, the recently convicted and still sitting Cllr Stephen Sharp.
"Had a Conservative Cllr been convicted of fraud, they would have been out on their ear.
"We would not have been covering up for them - or making excuses like the Lib Dems."
Speaking to the Buxton Advertiser, High Peak Lib Dems' president Cllr Barrie Taylor said Mrs Hargreaves had been an "excellent candidate".
He went on to say: "I've never made excuses for what Cllr Sharp admits was a foolish and illegal action.
"However, I suspect he retains a good deal of public sympathy, as it's known he had been under severe personal and financial stress at the time and no one else finished up out-of-pocket."
The by-election occurred following the death of deputy mayor Cllr Cynthia Mitchell who represented the area for two years.
In a landslide victory, 339 people voted for Conservative candidate Bill Clarke to represent the ward in HPBC.
He said the win was testimony to Cllr Mitchell's "enthusiasm" and "dedication" and added: "I am delighted to have won by so many."
Labour came third, with 111 people voting for Joyce Brocklehurst.
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Weather for Buxton
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
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